Leap Wireless Shares Jumped: What You Need to Know

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Leap Wireless (NAS: LEAP) have leapt up by 15% today after Deutsche Bank analysts added the stock to its "Short-Term Buy" list.

So what: The analysts cite channel checks through Black Friday that show healthy signs for the prepaid wireless segment, although competition continues to heat up. Larger national carriers have been focusing more efforts on the prepaid segment lately, which could pose a potential threat to Leap.

Now what: Deutsche Bank is raising its estimate of fourth-quarter net voice additions from 175,000 to 225,000, and total net additions from 125,000 to 175,000. The analysts believe these estimates may be on the conservative side. Deutsche Bank highlighted two key growth drivers going forward: adding new national retail channels and encouraging fourth quarter channel checks through Black Friday. Overall, Deutsche Bank has Leap rated at hold with a $13 price target, implying that it thinks any bullishness may be short-lived.

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